Opinion: Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority deserves praise
By Luther Mack
How soon we forget. Those who are complaining about the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority are not remembering the past.
Thirteen years ago, I was the airport chairman during a turbulent time. In 1998, Airport Director Bob White and his management team were plagued by lawsuits, charges of a hostile work environment, poor planning and citizen outrage.
As chairman, I had to make a difficult business decision. A change in leadership was required. But it came at a price. The airport and White parted company through a unanimously approved severance and consulting agreement that cost the airport $322,000.
That was the price the board paid to remove an airport director who had failed.
Today, Reno-Tahoe International Airport is an award-winning airport with terrific air service, great facilities and financial planning that are the envy of the community. But today the airport is criticized for paying less for success than it once paid for failure.
Luther Mack is a businessman and former chairman of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority board.